Who is TAP Into A Better Tasmania?

Posted March 1st, 2007 by admin

Who is the group "TAP Into A Better Tasmania"?

The potential threats from the proposed pulp mill were evident right from its announcement in early 2005. A local community group, Tamar Residents Action Committee (TRAC), was the initial focus of activity but this was dissolved and replaced in June 2006 by a more active and larger community group, Tasmanians Against the Pulp mill Inc (TAP). The group expanded its focus in 2008 and became known as TAP Into A Better Tasmania. It is a community-based independent group standing up for the community, business, health and the environment. TAP draws support and donations from across Tasmania, Australia and internationally.

The journey that started in 2005 with an examination of Gunns’ proposed pulp mill in the Tamar Valley uncovered a multitude of threats to the viability, sustainability and resilience of Tasmanian communities. Threats include unexamined pollution of air and water, the takeover of farms by plantations, expanded native forest logging, increased competition for water supplies, damaging economic impacts on existing businesses (tourism, wineries, food, fishing), harm to community health, and inequitable policies of Liberal and Labor parties that deliberately favour sectional interests over the well-being of the community.

The socio-economic interests of the community both in the Tamar Valley and statewide that are at risk from Gunns’ proposed pulp mill are listed in more detail below. The list of threats and their geographic range has been developed from calls by the community over several years. It serves as a guide to planning and action by TAP to help make Tasmania a better place to live and work.

The risks stem from corrupt governance, and the mill inputs and outputs.

Corrupted government decision making

Diversion of taxpayer money from schools and hospitals to subsidise the mill and forestry (>$200m/yr- statewide)

supported a the re-election of anti mill Legislative Councillor Kerry Finch who was returned with a majority of more than 70%;

initiated a class action register, the first step towards a seeking compensation for adverse impacts from the planned pulp mill if it proceeds. Damages are estimated at around $2bn;

alerted the Tasmanian people to the draconian restrictions in the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 (Section 11) blocking access to the courts for those seeking compensation for damages from Gunns' proposed pulp mill.

For more information about the proposed pulp mill and underlying issues, see key issues.

Mike

Bob

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What Is 'TAP Into A Better Tasmania'?

TAP is not an environment group and is not politically-aligned. We have
fought successfully for 10 years to stop Gunns and the State and Federal
Governments from building a 1.1million tonnes PA pulp mill in a valley
that is home to 100,000 people on the island of Tasmania.

TAP was the
first group to oppose a pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. We were
originally called TRAC which became TAP Into A Better Tasmania. TAP was
also the first community group in Tasmania to oppose industrial tree
plantations.

TAP has prevailed over almost insurmountable odds to
prevent dangerous, corrupt and irresponsible people from degrading the
Tamar Valley in Tasmania. TAP uses imaginative and bold actions to defend Tasmania
from Gunns, their successors and their political cronies. TAP provides a
stimulating informaton forum in the Tamar Valley.